System and method for automating formation and execution of a backup strategy using machine learning

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are systems and method for forming and executing a backup strategy. In one aspect, an exemplary method comprises, for each file of files from one or more data sources that is being evaluated to form the backup strategy for the file, updating a frequency database, evaluating a uniqueness for the file stored at a data source of the one or more data sources by comparing at least a portion of data of the file to the frequency database, categorizing the file into a hierarchy of logical types according to properties of the file, and forming the backup strategy for the file according to the uniqueness and categorization of the file.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/589,620, which was filed on Nov. 22, 2017, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of data archiving,and more specifically, to systems and methods for automating formationand execution of a backup strategy using machine learning.

BACKGROUND

Performing regular backup of large amounts of data is a time and powerintensive operation. Additionally, a significant amount of storagespace, whether locally or in cloud storage, is normally required tocomplete such large backup operations. This has led to theimplementation of backup plans which optimize the performance of thebackups. Often, such backup plans take into account backup parameterssuch as the periodicity of creation of backup copies, whether full orincremental, the timing of the beginning of the backup operation, thelocation of the source data, the backup location, whether local storage,cloud storage or instant copy, and finally, whether the data requiresencryption based on the confidentiality of data contained therein.

However, the backup operation may be for large volumes of data fromvarious sources with varying file types. Moreover, the data can changevery quickly and often. Modifying the parameters described above becomesunwieldy and ineffective without considering alternative strategies.

Therefore, there is a need for a an efficient and flexible method andsystem for forming and executing backup strategies, e.g., for backing uplarge volumes of dynamic data from various sources and file types.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to forming and executing backupstrategies for files using machine learning.

In one exemplary aspect, a method for forming and executing a backupstrategy is implemented in a system that comprises a data analysisengine and a learning engine, the system comprising one or moreprocessors, the method comprising: for each file of files from one ormore data sources that is being evaluated to form the backup strategyfor the file, updating a frequency database, evaluating a uniqueness forthe file stored at a data source of the one or more data sources bycomparing at least a portion of data of the file to the frequencydatabase, categorizing the file into a hierarchy of logical typesaccording to properties of the file, and forming the backup strategy forthe file according to the uniqueness and categorization of the file.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a system is provided forforming and executing a backup strategy, the system comprising at leastone processor configured to: for each file of files from one or moredata sources that is being evaluated to form the backup strategy for thefile, update a frequency database, evaluate a uniqueness for the filestored at a data source of the one or more data sources by comparing atleast a portion of data of the file to the frequency database,categorize the file into a hierarchy of logical types according toproperties of the file, and form the backup strategy for the fileaccording to the uniqueness and categorization of the file.

In one exemplary aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium isprovided storing a set of executable instructions thereon for formingand executing a backup strategy, including instructions for: for eachfile of files from one or more data sources that is being evaluated toform the backup strategy for the file, updating a frequency database,evaluating a uniqueness for the file stored at a data source of the oneor more data sources by comparing at least a portion of data of the fileto the frequency database, categorizing the file into a hierarchy oflogical types according to properties of the file, and forming thebackup strategy for the file according to the uniqueness andcategorization of the file.

In one aspect, the categorizing of the file further comprises: analyzingmetadata associated with the file, analyzing contents of the file, andclassifying the file based on the metadata associated with the file andthe contents of the file.

In one aspect, the method further comprises: adding a secure backupstrategy to the backup strategy for the file, when the uniqueness orimportance of the portion of data is determined as being greater than arespective predetermined uniqueness or importance threshold, adding aninstant copying to the backup strategy for the file, when the file isdetermined as having a desired recovery time less than a predeterminedrecovery time threshold, adding a distributed backup to the backupstrategy for the file, when a criticality of data loss associated withthe portion of data is higher than a predetermined criticalitythreshold, adding a local backup to the backup strategy for the file,when the criticality of data loss associated with the portion of data islower than the predetermined criticality threshold, copying the file toa cloud storage, when the instant copying is added to the backupstrategy, and executing the backup strategy for the file.

In one aspect, the method further comprises: evaluating aconfidentiality of a file prior to forming the backup strategy, theevaluation being to determine whether the file is confidential and, whenthe file is confidential, to determine a degree of confidentiality, andselecting a strength of one or more encryption algorithms according tothe determined degree of confidentiality.

In one aspect, the backup strategy comprises one or more of: an instantcopy, a local copy, and a cloud storage.

In one aspect, the backup strategy is further formed according to one ormore of: an importance, a recovery time, and a recovery point objectiveof the file.

In one aspect, the uniqueness is evaluated based on a deep learninganalysis of one of: a local data set and an external data set. In oneaspect, the local data set comprises an archive and the external dataset comprises the Internet.

In one aspect, the evaluation of the uniqueness based on the deeplearning comprises one or more of: considering an authorship of the fileand availability of the file in the local and external data sets,considering metadata regarding a location of the file in combinationwith the authorship of the file, and considering an availability of thefile in the local and external data sets.

The above simplified summary of example aspects serves to provide abasic understanding of the present disclosure. This summary is not anextensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineatethe scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its solepurpose is to present one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description of the disclosure that follows.To the accomplishment of the foregoing, the one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure include the features described and exemplarilypointed out in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more example aspects ofthe present disclosure and, together with the detailed description,serve to explain their principles and implementations.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for automating theformation and execution of a backup plan according to an exemplaryaspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example operations of a dataanalysis engine according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating example operations of a dataclassification and categorization stage according to an exemplary aspectof the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automating formation andexecution of a backup strategy using machine learning according to anexemplary aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example general-purposecomputer system on which the systems and methods may be implementedaccording to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary aspects are described herein in the context of a system,method and computer program product for automating formation andexecution of a backup strategy using machine learning. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will realize that the following description isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made indetail to implementations of the example aspects as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used to theextent possible throughout the drawings and the following description torefer to the same or like items.

Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure use deep learning algorithmsto optimize and automate formation and execution of backup strategiesfor data endpoints.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for automating aformation and execution of a backup plan according to an exemplaryaspect of the disclosure. The system 100 comprises a data analysisengine 101, a learning engine 110, one or more backup sources 1 to N (oralternatively referred to as “endpoints”), one or more analysis sources1 to M and one or more storage destinations 1 to P. The data analysisengine 101 comprises a document evaluation module 102, a categorizationprocessor 104, a content analyzer 105 and a strategy processor 106.Aspects of this disclosure do not limit the network location of the dataanalysis engine 101 relative to the storage destinations 1 to P, thebackup sources 1 to N or the analysis sources 1 to M.

The data analysis engine 101 performs backup operations on data 121 fromone or more of the backup sources 1 to N. The backup sources 1 to N maybe one or more storage devices local to computing workstations, serverstorage devices, or any other device storage contemplated by one ofordinary skill in the art. The data contained in the backup sources 1 toN comprises, in some aspects, database files, personal files, filesassociated with software applications or the like. The data stored inthe backup sources 1 to N is not limited to those types described inthis disclosure and may contain any types of files which a person orenterprise may desire to have backed up. The data analysis engine 101may be directly coupled to the backup sources 1 to N, e.g. on the samelocal area network (LAN), may communicatively couple to the backupsources 1 to N over network 140, or a combination of both.

The data analysis engine 101 performs stores backups of the data 121 inone or more of the storage destinations 1 to P. The storage destinations1 to P are distinct storage types. In one aspect, the storagedestination 1 is an “Instant Copy” destination, the storage destination2 is a local copy destination and the storage destination 3 is a remotecloud storage destination. In the example of a local copy destination,the storage destination 2 is located local to the backup source. Inaspects of the disclosure, local destinations can be external drives,network shares, tape drives, though not limited thereto. In this aspect,remote destinations can be any cloud destination. Finally, an instantcopy is a way of saving files quickly for short periods of time,generally using RAM or snapshotting techniques. In some aspects of thedisclosure, the data analysis engine 101 selects a combination ofstorage destinations, for example, instant copy and local copy, localcopy and cloud copy, and any other combination thereof deemedappropriate by the data analysis engine 101 given properties of thedata.

In one aspect, the data analysis engine 101 is also communicativelycoupled to the learning engine 110 via network 140 or via some othercommunicative configuration. The learning engine 110 comprises afrequency database 112 and a categorizer 114. The learning engine 110 isfurther configured to communicate with analysis sources 1, 2 . . . M.The analysis sources are used by the learning engine 110 as deeplearning sources used to classify and categorize any data that passesthrough system 100. In one aspect, the analysis sources comprise theInternet, data archives, or previously backed up data. The learningengine 110 performs deep learning on the analysis sources 1 to M torecognize and classify data efficiently and accurately as the datachanges over time. For example, the frequency database 112 inspects theInternet as an analysis source and creates hashes of all documents(e.g., including but not limited to: ACROBAT® PDF, WORD®, POWERPOINT®)that are globally available. The frequency database 112 associates thesehashes with the commonality and availability of the document for futureuse by the data analysis engine 101. The learning engine 110 alsoperforms machine learning on these documents in analysis sources 1 to Mand classifies the types of documents according to, at least, importanceof data, recovery time, recovery point objective and dataconfidentiality. Importance of data relates to the availability of thedocument. Recovery Point Objective (RPO) refers to a maximum targetedperiod of time in which data might be lost from a service due to a majorincident, while recovery time refers to how soon a document may beneeded from backup. Finally, confidentiality refers to the level ofsecrecy or public availability of the document.

The data analysis engine 101 reviews and analyzes data to be backed upfrom the backup sources 1 to N. The data 121 is categorized using thecategorization processor 104 to determine the hierarchical nature of thedata. In one aspect, the hierarchical nature of the data comprises thefile types such as databases, documents, media files and the like. Thedata is also classified into types, e.g., curriculum vitae,presentations, reports, user manuals and the like, and subtypes: such ascertain products (e.g., “Software 1”, “Software 2”), language, regionand version. In one aspect, older versions of a document are rated asless important compared with newer versions of the same document. Thisclassification is obtained by the categorization processor 104 passingthe data along to the learning engine 110. The categorizer 114 of thelearning engine 110 is initially seeded with a few hierarchical rules,and subsequently performs categorization/learning on files from theanalysis sources 1 to M and thus can compare the data from the backupsources 1 to N with already categorized data to match the hierarchicalstructure of the file or the type of the file, and enhance the rules bythe new data. Once the data matches data in the categorizer 114, thecategorizer 114 returns the hierarchical category of the matched data tothe categorization processor 104. In other embodiments, the data storedon backup sources 1 to N is automatically and periodically categorizedinto hierarchies by the categorizer 114 of the learning engine 110reflecting any changes that have occurred in the data 121. According toone aspect of the present disclosure, classification of data is based onthe analysis of document metadata in the data 121, as well as analysisof titles and contents of the data extracted by the content analyzer 105(e.g., a semantic analysis, or keyword indexing). Using a keyword indexallows categorization to be more efficient.

The document evaluation module 102 is also invoked by the data analysisengine 101 to evaluate each file and determine a uniqueness (e.g.,frequency of occurrence) and importance of individual files in the data121 by passing comparing the data 121 to data stored in the frequencydatabase 112. The learning engine 112 scrapes data from the Internet,data archives, or even backup data to populate the frequency database112 with a representation of the scraped data. In some embodiments, therepresentation is a hash of the scraped data, while in other embodimentsthe data itself is compressed and stored. Commonly available files(those whose count is significantly high in the frequency database 112)are therefore considered less unique by the document evaluation module102 than files which are not found as often in the frequency database112.

With the information regarding uniqueness of data from the documentevaluation module 102 and the categorization of the data from thecategorization processor 104, the data analysis engine 101 invokes thestrategy processor 106. The strategy processor 106 forms a backupstrategy to use for the particular data based on machine learning, theinformation received from the processors 102 and 104 (i.e., documentevaluation module 102 and categorization processor 104), and a set ofdata criteria 108. A portion of the data criteria 108 is generated bythe strategy processor 106 by considering several aspects of the data121 such as RPO, confidentiality, document hierarchy and recovery time,discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 2, based on machinelearning performed by the strategy processor 106 to compare the data 121with data form the learning engine 110. Additionally, the strategyprocessor 106 considers the confidentiality of the file and may includeencryption as a part of the backup strategy if the degree ofconfidentiality is greater than a particular threshold. In one aspect,the strategy processor 106 forms backup strategies based on similarityof the data being backed up with previously backed-up data and performsmachine learning in order to automate selection of the strategy. Inother words, the above described rules are known by the strategyprocessor 106, but these rules are made more precise as the data beingbacked-up increases. Once a strategy is formed by the strategy processor106, the strategy processor 106 executes the backup strategy to back upthe data to one or more of the storage destinations 1 to P which may bein a local store, in the cloud or an instant copy can be created (e.g.,in RAM, as a file snapshot, or both). According to one aspect of thedisclosure, the backup strategy formed by the strategy processor 106ensures optimal data integrity, optimizes the time and resources neededto create backups during a backup window (e.g., the time during whichbackup operations are performed), and optimize storage space by storingitems in different storage destinations according to the theirimportance, uniqueness, categorization, criticality, and the like andreducing clutter in cloud storage, local storage (e.g., internal orexternal hard drives) and instant copy storage.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example operations of the dataanalysis engine 101 according to an exemplary aspect. The data analysisengine 101 invokes the strategy processor 106 taking into considerationthe data criteria 108, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The document evaluationmodule 102 evaluates each document and generates a uniqueness score 200and an importance score 210. The categorization processor 104 generatesa document hierarchy 202. The strategy processor 106 forms data criteria108 that includes the uniqueness score 200 and the document hierarchy202, in addition to importance score 210, recovery time 212 and RPO 214.The categorization processor 104 allows for tuning and adjustment ofbackup plans dynamically. For example, a document that was unique oneweek ago may no longer be unique because the categorization processor104 finds the document in several other locations. In another example, asecret finance report with very high importance was updated, so aprevious version became less important. Thus the backup strategy changesfor this particular document and it can be stored with less redundancy.The RPO 214, confidentiality 216, document hierarchy 202 and recoverytime 212 are generated by the strategy processor 106 using machinelearning to compare the data 121 being backed up with data form thelearning engine 110. In other aspects, over time, based on historicalvalues of the document hierarchy 202, the uniqueness score 200 and theimportance score 210, the strategy processor 106 calculates the valuesof RPO 214, recovery time 212 and confidentiality 216 and becomes moreaccurate over time in these calculations given more data to process.

The uniqueness score 200 and importance score 210 are related. Forexample, an electronic book from a well-known publishing house or a usermanual that can easily be found on the web is not considered unique andthe risk of losing such a document is not relevant. Thus the uniquenessscore 200 and the importance score 210 will be comparatively low. Whileuniqueness and importance are related and complementary, these twoscores are theoretically not necessary equal. For example, an author ofa document is the same person as a user of a given computer, it is verylikely that the document is unique and exists as a single copy. However,this does not mean that the document is extremely important. Additionalparameters or characteristics of this document need to be assessedbefore being considered important, such as the document being marked as“highly confidential”, or the like. The unique document becomes moreimportant based on confidentiality (for example), as compared with asimple textual reminder, for example. Another criterion that makes aunique document more or less important is the location of the document.For example, a user stores the document in a folder named “Important” ora folder that can be identified as important in some manner—theimportance score 210 will increase. In another example, the importancescore 210 will increase when the document is stored in a secure and safelocation such as special external drive, for example. Machine Learningis employed by the strategy processor 106 to analyze criteria andforming the uniqueness score 200 and the importance score 210accordingly. However, the document evaluation module 102 always scores aunique document as more important by default than a non-unique document.If the owner of the computer upon which backup is being performed andthe author of the document being inspected are the same person, thensuch a document is likely unique, relatively increasing the uniquenessscore 200 and the importance score 200. Thus importance score 210 anduniqueness score 200 are interrelated, but not necessarily equal. Ahigher uniqueness score 200 and/or a higher importance score 200influences the strategy processor 106 to form a secure backup strategysuch as, in one aspect, cloud backup, or local backup and cloud backup.

The recovery time 212 represents a desired recovery time for a file. Forexample, if the recovery time (i.e., the time the file needs to berestored by) 212 is lesser than a predetermined threshold, the strategyprocessor 212 uses instant copying as a backup strategy. In someaspects, instant copying comprises, but is not limited to, backing thefile up in RAM as a file snapshot, or the like. Instant copy isgenerally used when protecting data from malware, when an unmodifiedversion of a file requires quick saving and quick restoration or thelike. Instant copy is generally considered the least reliable way ofbacking up data and therefore if the importance score 210 or uniquenessscore 200 is higher than corresponding threshold values, the backupstrategy will include cloud storage in addition to instant copy.

The RPO 214 represents a criticality of data loss for a particular pieceof data. If the RPO 214 is lower than a predefined threshold, thestrategy processor 106 forms the backup strategy 220 that includes onlylocal storage, such as on an external hard disk. If the RPO 214 ishigher than another predefined threshold, the backup strategy 220comprises cloud storage or another form of distributed storage whereredundancy can be chosen, giving an added degree of safety andreliability.

Additionally, the data criteria 108 comprises confidentiality 216 of thedata. Depending on the importance of confidentiality of the file, thefile may need to be stored in an encrypted form. Accordingly, theconfidentiality 216 (e.g., “yes/no”) and the degree of thisconfidentiality is additionally considered by the strategy processor106, or in other aspects may be combined with the importance score 210.Accordingly, the backup strategy 220 comprises a decision to encrypt thedata in the backup process along with choosing the strength ofencryption algorithms (e.g. synchronous, asynchronous, etc.).

Accordingly the strategy processor 106 creates a dynamic backup strategy220 which is configured each time for each new piece of data, based onthe deep learning of the learning engine 110 and the data criteria 108.The strategy processor 106 executes the backup strategy 220 on the data,storing the backup in one or more storage destinations 1 to P.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating example operations of a dataclassification and categorization stage according to an exemplary aspectof the present disclosure.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the document evaluation module 102 alsoparses the data 121 of FIG. 1 and generates a plurality of fileidentifiers 300 which are stored in the frequency database 112. In thisway, the frequency database 112 keeps a record of all files (in additionto other properties associated with those files) that pass through thesystem 100 so that future data can be evaluated for uniqueness andimportance. For a certain file, a file identifier is generated andchecked against the frequency database 112. If the database matchresults in more than a predefined threshold number of results, theuniqueness score 200 is proportionally decreased. If the database matchresults in fewer than another predefined threshold number of results,the uniqueness 200 score is proportionally increased. In some aspects ofthe present invention file identifiers 300 comprise hashes of filecontents, checksums, or some other identifier calculated using thecontents of the file.

In a similar manner, the categorization processor 104 receives data 121from the backup sources 1 to N. Also, the data 121 passes through acontent analyzer 105 which extracts the actual binary or textual datastored in each of the files in data 121. The categorization processor104 operates on the data 121 itself, and also via the categorizer 114 tocategorize the contents of the data into hierarchical structures. Onceall of the documents are categorized by the categorizer 114, thecategorization processor 104 generates a document hierarchy 202 for useby the strategy processor 106. The document hierarchy 202 includes thetype of file, e.g., whether the file is a database file, a media file, atextual document, or the like, in addition to the logical category orsubcategory of the file, e.g., whether the file is a presentation, auser manual, a menu, a report, a memo, a curriculum vitae, or the like.With operation of every backup, the learning engine 110 performs deeplearning via the frequency database 112 being updated and thecategorizer 114 learning about new types of files or similarly betweenother types of files. This results in future categorizations anddeterminations of uniqueness to be significantly more accurate.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 for automating formationand execution of a backup strategy using machine learning according toan exemplary aspect of the disclosure. The method of FIG. 4 may becarried out by the data analysis engine 101 and the learning engine 110.The data analysis engine 101 and the learning engine 110 may beimplemented via a general-purpose computer system 20, as shown in FIG.5, for executing the method 400 by a processor, such as a centralprocessing unit 21 of the computer system 20.

The method 400 begins at step 402 and proceeds to step 404. At step 404,the learning engine 110 updates the frequency database 112 for each fileevaluated from the backup sources 1 to N. The method 400 then proceedsto step 406 where the data analysis engine 101 invokes the documentevaluation module 102 which evaluates uniqueness for a file from thebackup sources 1 to N by comparing the file to frequency database 112.In some instances, the comparison comprises a comparison of hash checksor checksums of the file and respective hash checks or checksums storedin the frequency database 112.

At step 408, the data analysis engine 101 invokes the categorizationprocessor 104 which categorizes the file into a hierarchy of typesaccording to the properties of the file in addition to similarities withpreviously encountered and analyzed files. The categorization processor104, as previously discussed, performs deep learning on one or moreanalysis sources 1 to M so that individual files from a backup sourcecan be categorized and classified quickly and accurately. Then, themethod proceeds to step 409 to form the backup strategy for the file inaccordance with the uniqueness and the categorization of the file. Inother words, the results of steps 406 and 408 are used to form thebackup strategy for the file.

The method proceeds to step 410 where the data analysis engine 101determines a confidentiality of a document. Whether the document shouldbe stored confidentially and whether the degree of confidentialityaffects the ultimate backup strategy. If the file does not have aconfidentiality greater than a predetermined threshold, the methodproceeds to step 414. If the file has a confidentiality greater than thepredetermined threshold, the backup strategy is formed with anencryption parameter at step 412 that indicates the file is to beencrypted, along with a degree of confidentiality which is ultimatelyused to determine which encryption algorithm is used during backup. Themethod then proceeds to step 414.

At step 414, the data analysis engine 101 determines whether theimportance score and/or the uniqueness score, or both in aggregate, ofthe file are greater than a predetermined threshold. If the scores aregreater than the predetermined threshold, the method proceeds to step416. Otherwise, the method proceeds to step 422. In step 416, thestrategy processor 106 adds distributed backup to the backup strategy.In some instances, a local backup is also added to the backup strategyat step 418, for example, when further security is desired.

The method 400 then proceeds to step 422 where the data analysis engine422 determines whether the file has a criticality score (e.g., RPO 214of FIG. 2) greater than a predetermined criticality threshold. If so,the method 400 proceeds to step 424 where a distributed backup is addedto the backup strategy where a degree of redundancy can be chosen. Ifthe criticality score is lower than the threshold, then the methodproceeds step 423 where a local backup is added to the backup strategy.

The method 400 then proceeds to step 426 where the data analysis engine422 determines whether the file has a recovery time less than a recoverytime threshold. If so, the method 400 proceeds to step 428 where aninstant backup is added to the backup strategy.

The method then proceeds to step 430 where the strategy processor 430performs the backup operation using the added backup strategies. Thisprocess is repeated for each file, thus a fully formed backup strategycontains strategies for all file/file types in the backup sources 1 toN. The method 400 terminates at step 440.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a general-purpose computer system20 on which aspects of systems and methods for automating formation andexecution of a backup strategy may be implemented in accordance with anexemplary aspect of the disclosure. It should be noted that the computersystem 20 can correspond to the system 100, data analysis engine 101, orlearning engine 110, for example, described earlier.

As shown, the computer system 20 (which may be a personal computer or aserver) includes a central processing unit 21, a system memory 22, and asystem bus 23 connecting the various system components, including thememory associated with the central processing unit 21. As will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the system bus 23 maycomprise a bus memory or bus memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus that is able to interact with any other bus architecture. Thesystem memory may include permanent memory (ROM) 24 and random-accessmemory (RAM) 25. The basic input/output system (BIOS) 26 may store thebasic procedures for transfer of information between elements of thecomputer system 20, such as those at the time of loading the operatingsystem with the use of the ROM 24.

The computer system 20, may also comprise a hard disk 27 for reading andwriting data, a magnetic disk drive 28 for reading and writing onremovable magnetic disks 29, and an optical drive 30 for reading andwriting removable optical disks 31, such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and otheroptical media. The hard disk 27, the magnetic disk drive 28, and theoptical drive 30 are connected to the system bus 23 across the hard diskinterface 32, the magnetic disk interface 33 and the optical driveinterface 34, respectively. The drives and the corresponding computerinformation media are power-independent modules for storage of computerinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data of thecomputer system 20.

An exemplary aspect comprises a system that uses a hard disk 27, aremovable magnetic disk 29 and a removable optical disk 31 connected tothe system bus 23 via the controller 55. It will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that any type of media 56 that is able tostore data in a form readable by a computer (solid state drives, flashmemory cards, digital disks, random-access memory (RAM) and so on) mayalso be utilized.

The computer system 20 has a file system 36, in which the operatingsystem 35, may be stored, as well as additional program applications 37,other program modules 38, and program data 39. A user of the computersystem 20 may enter commands and information using keyboard 40, mouse42, or any other input device known to those of ordinary skill in theart, such as, but not limited to, a microphone, joystick, gamecontroller, scanner, etc. . . . . Such input devices typically plug intothe computer system 20 through a serial port 46, which in turn isconnected to the system bus, but those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that input devices may be also be connected in other ways,such as, without limitation, via a parallel port, a game port, or auniversal serial bus (USB). A monitor 47 or other type of display devicemay also be connected to the system bus 23 across an interface, such asa video adapter 48. In addition to the monitor 47, the personal computermay be equipped with other peripheral output devices (not shown), suchas loudspeakers, a printer, etc.

Computer system 20 may operate in a network environment, using a networkconnection to one or more remote computers 49. The remote computer (orcomputers) 49 may be local computer workstations or servers comprisingmost or all of the aforementioned elements in describing the nature of acomputer system 20. Other devices may also be present in the computernetwork, such as, but not limited to, routers, network stations, peerdevices or other network nodes.

Network connections can form a local-area computer network (LAN) 50 anda wide-area computer network (WAN). Such networks are used in corporatecomputer networks and internal company networks, and they generally haveaccess to the Internet. In LAN or WAN networks, the personal computer 20is connected to the local-area network 50 across a network adapter ornetwork interface 51. When networks are used, the computer system 20 mayemploy a modem 54 or other modules well known to those of ordinary skillin the art that enable communications with a wide-area computer networksuch as the Internet. The modem 54, which may be an internal or externaldevice, may be connected to the system bus 23 by a serial port 46. Itwill be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that saidnetwork connections are non-limiting examples of numerouswell-understood ways of establishing a connection by one computer toanother using communication modules.

In various aspects, the systems and methods described herein may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the methods may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium.Computer-readable medium includes data storage. By way of example, andnot limitation, such computer-readable medium can comprise RAM, ROM,EEPROM, CD-ROM, Flash memory or other types of electric, magnetic, oroptical storage medium, or any other medium that can be used to carry orstore desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a processor of a general purposecomputer.

In various aspects, the systems and methods described in the presentdisclosure can be addressed in terms of modules. The term “module” asused herein refers to a real-world device, component, or arrangement ofcomponents implemented using hardware, such as by an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field-programmable gate array(FPGA), for example, or as a combination of hardware and software, suchas by a microprocessor system and a set of instructions to implement themodule's functionality, which (while being executed) transform themicroprocessor system into a special-purpose device. A module may alsobe implemented as a combination of the two, with certain functionsfacilitated by hardware alone, and other functions facilitated by acombination of hardware and software. In certain implementations, atleast a portion, and in some cases, all, of a module may be executed onthe processor of a general purpose computer (such as the one describedin greater detail in FIG. 5, above). Accordingly, each module may berealized in a variety of suitable configurations, and should not belimited to any particular implementation exemplified herein.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theaspects are disclosed herein. It would be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any actual implementation of the present disclosure,numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order toachieve the developer's specific goals, and these specific goals willvary for different implementations and different developers. It isunderstood that such a development effort might be complex andtime-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking ofengineering for those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefitof this disclosure.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of restriction,such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification isto be interpreted by the skilled in the art in light of the teachingsand guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of theskilled in the relevant art(s). Moreover, it is not intended for anyterm in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon orspecial meaning unless explicitly set forth as such.

The various aspects disclosed herein encompass present and future knownequivalents to the known modules referred to herein by way ofillustration. Moreover, while aspects and applications have been shownand described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure that many more modifications thanmentioned above are possible without departing from the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming and executing a backupstrategy comprising: for each file of files from one or more datasources that is being evaluated to form the backup strategy for thefile, updating, by a processor, a frequency database; evaluating, by theprocessor, a uniqueness for the file stored at a data source of the oneor more data sources by comparing at least a portion of data of the fileto the frequency database; forming, by the processor, the backupstrategy for the file, wherein the forming further comprises: adding asecure backup strategy to the backup strategy for the file, when theuniqueness or importance of the portion of data is determined as beinggreater than a respective predetermined uniqueness or importancethreshold; adding, by the processor, an instant copying to the backupstrategy for the file, when the file is determined as having a desiredrecovery time less than a predetermined recovery time threshold; copyingthe file to a cloud storage, when the instant copying is added to thebackup strategy; adding a distributed backup to the backup strategy forthe file, when a criticality of data loss associated with the portion ofdata is higher than a predetermined criticality threshold; and adding alocal backup to the backup strategy for the file, when the criticalityof data loss associated with the portion of data is lower than thepredetermined criticality threshold; and executing, by the processor,the backup strategy for the file.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: categorizing, by the processor, the file into a hierarchy oflogical types according to properties of the file by: analyzing metadataassociated with the file; analyzing contents of the file; andclassifying the file based on the metadata associated with the file andthe contents of the file; and wherein forming the backup strategy forthe file is further according to the categorization of the file.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: evaluating a confidentiality of afile prior to forming the backup strategy, the evaluation being todetermine whether the file is confidential and, when the file isconfidential, to determine a degree of confidentiality; and selecting astrength of one or more encryption algorithms according to thedetermined degree of confidentiality.
 4. The method of claim 1, thebackup strategy further being formed according to one or more of: animportance, a recovery time, and a recovery point objective of the file.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the uniqueness is evaluated based on adeep learning analysis of one of: a local data set and an external dataset, wherein the local data set comprises an archive and the externaldata set comprises the Internet.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein theevaluation of the uniqueness based on the deep learning comprises one ormore of: considering an authorship of the file, considering metadataregarding a location of the file in combination with the authorship ofthe file, and considering an availability of the file in the local andexternal data sets.
 7. A system for forming and executing a backupstrategy, comprising: at least one processor configured to: for eachfile of files from one or more data sources that is being evaluated toform the backup strategy for the file, update a frequency database,evaluate a uniqueness for the file stored at a data source of the one ormore data sources by comparing at least a portion of data of the file tothe frequency database, form the backup strategy for the file by: addinga secure backup strategy to the backup strategy for the file, when theuniqueness or importance of the portion of data is determined as beinggreater than a respective predetermined uniqueness or importancethreshold; adding an instant copying to the backup strategy for thefile, when the file is determined as having a desired recovery time lessthan a predetermined recovery time threshold; copying the file to acloud storage, when the instant copying is added to the backup strategy;adding a distributed backup to the backup strategy for the file, when acriticality of data loss associated with the portion of data is higherthan a predetermined criticality threshold; and adding a local backup tothe backup strategy for the file, when the criticality of data lossassociated with the portion of data is lower than the predeterminedcriticality threshold; and execute the backup strategy for the file. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:categorize the file into a hierarchy of logical types according toproperties of the file by: analyzing metadata associated with the file,analyzing contents of the file, and classifying the file based on themetadata associated with the file and the contents of the file; andwherein forming the backup strategy for the file is further according tothe categorization of the file.
 9. The system of claim 7, the processorfurther being configured to: evaluate a confidentiality of a file priorto forming the backup strategy, the evaluation being to determinewhether the file is confidential, and when the file is confidential,determine a degree of confidentiality; and select a strength of one ormore encryption algorithms according to the determined degree ofconfidentiality.
 10. The system of claim 7, the processor being furtherconfigured to form the backup strategy according to one or more of: animportance, a recovery time, and a recovery point objective of the file.11. The system of claim 7, wherein the uniqueness is evaluated based ona deep learning analysis of one of: a local data set and an externaldata set, the local data set comprising an archive and the external dataset comprising the Internet.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein theevaluation of the uniqueness based on the deep learning comprises one ormore of: considering an authorship of the file and availability of thefile in the local and external data sets, considering metadata regardinga location of the file in combination with the authorship of the file,and considering an availability of the file in the local and externaldata sets.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing thereoncomputer executable instructions for forming and executing backupstrategies, including instructions for: for each file of files from oneor more data sources that is being evaluated to form the backup strategyfor the file, updating a frequency database; evaluating a uniqueness forthe file stored at a data source of the one or more data sources bycomparing at least a portion of data of the file to the frequencydatabase; forming the backup strategy for the file, wherein the formingfurther comprises: adding a secure backup strategy to the backupstrategy for the file, when the uniqueness or importance of the portionof data is determined as being greater than a respective predetermineduniqueness or importance threshold; adding an instant copying to thebackup strategy for the file, when the file is determined as having adesired recovery time less than a predetermined recovery time threshold;copying the file to a cloud storage, when the instant copying is addedto the backup strategy; adding a distributed backup to the backupstrategy for the file, when a criticality of data loss associated withthe portion of data is higher than a predetermined criticalitythreshold; and adding a local backup to the backup strategy for thefile, when the criticality of data loss associated with the portion ofdata is lower than the predetermined criticality threshold; andexecuting the backup strategy for the file.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 13, the instructions further includinginstructions for: categorizing the file into a hierarchy of logicaltypes according to properties of the file by: analyzing metadataassociated with the file; analyzing contents of the file; andclassifying the file based on the metadata associated with the file andthe contents of the file; and wherein forming the backup strategy forthe file is further according to the categorization of the file.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, the instructionsfurther including instructions for: evaluating a confidentiality of afile prior to forming the backup strategy, the evaluation being todetermine whether the file is confidential, and when the file isconfidential, to determine a degree of confidentiality; and selecting astrength of one or more encryption algorithms according to thedetermined degree of confidentiality.